Easy on the glitter, Melanie Morris advises teenagers
The brands: The following have a great teen allegiance ... Maybelline for their Great Lash mascara, Urban Decay for cool products such as their scented body powders (cocoa, marshmallow and caramel), BeneFit for quirky fix-its and fun goodies, Stila and Pout for great packaging, Hard Candy, MAC or FCUK for colour. Red Earth, an Australian brand in Roches Stores is the Awear of make-up. It releases new collections every six weeks and the eye mousses are a winner.
The starting point: Dermatologists recommend Cetaphyl, available in pharmacies, for cleaning troubled skin. It's excellent. A consultation with a cosmetics adviser may save a fortune in the long run and keep you up to speed on the state of your skin. Clinique's three-step system is reliable and worth investigating, as is Lancôme's new skin analysis computer (in Brown Thomas, Dublin).
Skin deep: Salicylic acid is the magic ingredient in products which treat oily skin. Recognised as one of the most effective spot-fighting ingredients, it's a beta-hydroxy acid derived from the bark of the willow tree. It is clinically proven to encourage the sloughing off of dead skin cells, prevent clogging and break down blackheads and whiteheads. Try Neutrogena's Clean and Clear range or Vichy's Normaderm. Oily skins can also be controlled with a matt effect product such as Lancôme's moisturising Hydracontrol Mat+ or BeneFit's Dr Feelgood. Apply these under foundation.
In disguise: Teenage skin does not benefit from layers of heavy cream concealers. Less is more, and apply only to the problem blemish. A product such as Hard Candy's non-oily Out Damn Spot pencil - available in two shades - is ideal. The same goes for foundation - something light (Stila's pivotal skin) will enhance a young complexion.
Specials: The best thing about being a teenager is the excuse it gives you to experiment. MAC does especially good make-overs for girls; bright colours, different textures, tricks of the trade and false eyelash fitting are all available. The €25 charge is redeemable against a purchase. Book on 01-6056666, ext 1177.
Tips for teen angels: Get regular, deep-cleansing facials to keep skin fresh. Don't pluck your own eyebrows until you know what you're doing. Go easy on the glitter - a little is cute, too much is a fright. Focus on eyes or lips. Remove make-up every night. Drink loads of still water. And don't put eyeliner inside your eye. It looks trashy.